3. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Sequel Coming To Netflix And IMAX Simultaneously
The company that revolutionized the way we watch television is looking to throw a wrench into the movie business. This week it was announced that Netflix is teaming with the Weinstein Company for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, a sequel to Ang Lee's 2000 film. Not only that, but the film will hit the streaming service and IMAX screens simultaneously in 2015. This is a big deal, and several theaters have already announced their displeasure in the venture and are
refusing to screen the film. This isn't the only day-and-date release that Netflix is planning, but it will be the first one out the gate. Fight choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping is directing The Green Legend, while Michelle Yeoh is signed to reprise her role as Yu Shu-Lien. The film will debut on August 28, 2015. You can read the full press release below:
NETFLIX ANNOUNCES FIRST ORIGINAL MOVIE CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND TO PREMIERE SIMULTANEOUSLY ON NETFLIX AND IN SELECT GLOBAL IMAX® THEATERS Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen star under the direction of Yuen Wo-Ping in the Sequel to the Academy Award®-winning 2000 film Beverly Hills, Ca. and New York, September 29, 2014Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the stunning next chapter in the saga started by the critically and popularly acclaimed Ang Lee martial arts epic, will premiere exclusively on Netflix and in selected global IMAX® theaters on August 28, 2015. Produced by The Weinstein Company, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend echoes the themes of the original movie, but tells its own story one of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption, set against breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World. Directed by the renowned martial arts choreographer (The Matrix Trilogy and Kill Bill 1&2) and director (Tai Chi Master) Yuen Wo-Ping, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend stars Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Lady) reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien and Donnie Yen (Ip Man 1&2, Monkey King 3D) as Silent Wolf. The film is to be the first of several major films backed by Netflix to premiere on the same day on the worlds leading Internet TV network and in select IMAX theaters globally, giving consumers and exhibitors around the world unparalleled flexibility in how, when and where they enjoy a major motion picture. Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty, said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film. The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement, said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story. IMAX has a terrific opportunity, via this partnership with Netflix, to release Crouching Tiger a high-quality, action-packed film that is right in our wheelhouse at the end of the summer blockbuster season, said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. We are particularly hopeful it will play in our highly successful China market. In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way. Based on the acclaimed novel, Iron Knight, Silver Vase, by Wang Dulu (book 5 in the Crane-Iron Pentalogy) and written by John Fusco (Marco Polo) the new film is produced by Harvey Weinstein (Academy Award winner The Kings Speech, The Artist) and Peter Berg (Emmy Award winner Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and Sarah Aubrey (Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and executive produced by Morten Tyldum (Headhunters, The Imitation Game), Ralph Winter (X-Men franchise), Anthony Wong, and Bey Logan (The Medallion). Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend also stars Harry Shum Jr (Glee, Revenge of the Green Dragons), Jason Scott Lee (Seventh Son, Hawaii Five-O), Roger Yuan (Bulletproof Monk), Eugenia Yuan (Revenge of the Green Dragons) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo. Principal photography is now underway in New Zealand. The films director of photography is Tom Sigel (Drive, X-Men: Days of Future Past) and design is led by the Academy Award®-winning Lord of the Rings team of costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.